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401(a) Defined Contribution Plans

For further plan information, contact us or your employer’s benefits office.

A 401(a) Money Purchase Plan* allows you to save and invest money for retirement with tax benefits.

Contributions are made to an account in your name for the exclusive benefit of you and your beneficiaries. The value of the account is based on the contributions made and the investment performance over time. No taxes are due, including on earnings, until you make withdrawals.

Contributions

Contributions you make are mandatory or voluntary. Mandatory contributions are generally pre-tax (picked-up), which reduces your current taxable income. Voluntary contributions are after-tax, up to 25% of your compensation (an IRS limit for total contributions to the plan also applies – see below).

Contributions your employer makes are typically a fixed dollar or percentage amount, or a match of your contributions.

Your employer’s contributions may have a vesting schedule, which determines your “ownership” of those contributions and associated earnings and how much of your account may be paid to you when you separate from service. (You always fully own your contributions and associated earnings.)

IRS rules limit the total contributions made to your account, including both your employer's and your contributions. See Contribution limits for the current calendar year.

Investments

You control how your account is invested, choosing from options selected by your employer.

A typical plan includes a wide range of options, from more conservative stable value funds to more aggressive bond and stock funds. You may choose to build a diversified portfolio of various funds, select a simple yet diversified target-date or target-risk fund, or rely on specific investment advice through Guided Pathways.

Withdrawals

When you leave employment, you are eligible to withdraw money from your account as you see fit, but you are generally not required to take payments until after age 70½. You have the flexibility to take money as needed, including the ability to have payments automatically deposited to your bank account every month. Payments are generally subject to taxes and an IRS-imposed 10% early withdrawal penalty may apply to payments taken prior to age 59½.

While you are employed, the available withdrawal options are limited and vary by plan. The available options may include the ability to withdraw voluntary after-tax contributions at any time or to withdraw money after you reach a certain age (e.g., 59½, 70½, or the plan's Normal Retirement Age). You may also have the ability to take a loan from your account.

Survivor Benefits

You designate a beneficiary, or beneficiaries, to receive any remaining assets upon your death. Designating beneficiaries can help ensure your assets are paid per your wishes, avoid the potential costs and delays of probate, and allow non-spouse beneficiaries to receive additional tax benefits.

Note: if you are married, most plans require your spouse be your beneficiary for 100 percent of your account unless your spouse waives this right.

* Your employer may instead sponsor a 401(a) Profit Sharing Plan, which generally has the same rules and benefits as a Money Purchase Plan except employer contributions may be discretionary.